Volume 149, No. 89 covering the 1st Session of the 108th Congress (2003 - 2004) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“IN RECOGNITION OF THE 88th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASBESTOS WORKERS LOCAL No. 42” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S7977 on June 17, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 88th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASBESTOS WORKERS LOCAL
No. 42
Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the Asbestos Workers Local No. 42. The International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers and the Local 42 have fought for better working conditions, health protection, employee rights, and to garner better wages for their members. They should be recognized for the work that they do.
The International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Union dates back to the late 1800s and the emergence of steam power. The expanded use of steam power during this era had a profound effect on the industrial sector leading to better heated and more efficient factories and plants, improved working conditions, and the creation of thousands of new manufacturing jobs.
The widespread use of steam power also created an entirely new industry--the insulation industry. Skilled insulation mechanics were needed to insulate steam boilers in an effort to conserve the precious energy being piped to residential and industrial facilities. The insulation mechanics who provided this craftsmanship worked almost totally without organized representation. By the end of the 19th century, a few localized associations attempted to look after the interests of their members in specific cities.
The first attempt to form a national bond between insulators associations came in 1900, when the Salamander Association of New York sent out an appeal to related crafts in other cities to form a
``National Organization of Pipe and Boiler Covers.'' The initial appeal did spark interest, and 2 years later a much more decisive action was taken by the officers and members of the Pipe Cover's Union, of St. Louis, MO.
The St. Louis group sent out an announcement that it had affiliated with the National Building Trades Council of America, and invited other pipe coverer unions and related trades to join with them in the pursuit of better working conditions, pay that was commensurate with their skills, and the strength that comes from unity. The first appeal of unity was sent to targeted cities where other asbestos workers already were enjoying the benefits of union affiliation such as New York, Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit. In all, seven local unions from around the Nation responded favorably, and the hard work of laying the foundation for an international union was begun.
With the St. Louis union leading the way, the interested locals met for their first convention on July 7, 1903, in the city of St. Louis. The results of that inaugural convention were impressive; a constitution was drafted and approved; bylaws were adopted; the first president was elected, Thomas Kennedy from Chicago; and a formal name was adopted, the National Association of Heat, Frost and General Insulators and Asbestos Workers of America. On September 22, 1903, the American Federation of Labor issued an official charter designating the Asbestos Workers as a national union.
The goals of the new International Union were spelled out in the charter: ``The object of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers shall be to assist its membership in securing employment, to defend their rights, and advance their interests as working men; and by education and cooperation raise them to that position in society to which they are justly entitled.'' Since that time, leaders of the International Union took this objective to grow this small group of local unions to over 120 local unions and a membership in excess of 20,000.
On July 16, 1915, General President Joseph Mullaney organized and delivered Local Charter No. 42 to the Wilmington, DE, Asbestos Workers. Temporary officers were elected and on July 26, 1915, forty permanent officers were elected. Mr. R.E. Mahan was elected as president and N.K. Whaler was elected as secretary. Meetings were held at the Irish-
American Hall on French Street every Monday. Local No. 42 began with just thirty members in 1915, with wages averaging $0.32 per hour.
After World War II, the International Union's growth and prosperity was tempered by frightening new evidence that confirmed long-held suspicions by the International Union's leadership. Workers who were exposed to asbestos died in disproportionate numbers from cancer. Since this evidence was proven, the union has fought for passage of new safety and health laws to help protect its members as well as the public. The Environmental Protection Agency has banned the use of asbestos in the insulation industry in the United States. It has also been banned from use in many other products as well. The International Union continues to provide its members with education and training with the latest state-of-the-art work practices in the handling of any and all materials used in the industry.
Since 1915, Local No. 42 has grown to include some 130 active members and approximately 100 retired members. Today, the president, Jeff Smith, helps lead the way in protecting asbestos workers' rights as well as their health.
Through its long and proud history, the Asbestos Workers International Union and Local No. 42 have never shied away from adversity or allowed negative factors to impede the achievement of those admirable goals set out in the international charter of 1910. Through the determination and commitment of their leaders and members, the International Union and Local #42 continues to strive for employment opportunities, equality in the work place, continuing education, and the safety and well being of the membership.
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